KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of people thronged tourist hotspots in the city like Petaling Street, the Petronas Twin Towers at KLCC and Kuala Lumpur Bird Park during the long Hari Raya break.

A late afternoon shower on the first day of celebration on Monday did not dampen the festive mood, with many locals and tourists making their way to the city’s famed Chinatown in search of bargains.

Petaling Street Rukun Tetangga secretary Simon Ang said the area was packed with shoppers the entire day.

“Although Petaling Street is an open-air area, which does not require the wearing of masks any longer, most shoppers were wearing them.

“This is a good sign as it shows that locals and tourists are voluntarily wearing masks as a precaution,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Ang said there were over 700 traders and hawkers operating in Petaling Street, which saw brisk business.

“Most were domestic tourists who are on holiday and sightseeing in the city.

“We are now looking forward when more international tourists visit the country again soon,” he added.

Ang, who is also Jalan Alor Hawkers and Traders Association secretary, said there were also similar scenes of crowds of people along Jalan Masjid India and Jalan Alor.

“There were still a lot of people walking about in these popular tourist areas even after midnight as there are no more restrictions on business operating hours for street food hawkers,” he added.

The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park also drew crowds, mostly families visiting this attraction next to the Kuala Lumpur Perdana Botanical Garden.

The area around KLCC and the Petronas Twin Towers were packed with people, including many foreign workers who were on leave for Hari Raya.